Technological watch

Enzyme recycling process could break down plastics by 70%

The ENZPLAST2 project focuses on the use of enzymes for different applications in the plastics sector.Plastics organization AIMPLAS has helped develop a recycling processes based on enzymes that could break down plastics by 70%.

The ENZPLAST2 project focuses on the use of enzymes for different applications in the plastics sector, with a focus on separating multilayer packaging and improve biodegradation when composting different types of polymers, especially polyurethanes.

According to AIMPLAS using enzymes to obtain polyesters instead of metal catalysts can reduce toxicity and lower energy consumption during the polymerization process.

The project is also researching the use of polymer-supported enzymes in a molten polymer to improve the biodegradation of different bioplastics under aerobic and anaerobic digestion conditions, the organization said.

This story uses material from AIMPLAS, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.

Publication date: 02/06/2020

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This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.